Slay the Spire 2's March 5 Launch Causes Rival Deckbuilder Handmancers to Delay Its Release

Slay the Spire 2 Officially Launches March 5

Slay the Spire 2, the long-anticipated sequel to one of the most influential deckbuilding roguelikes ever made, has officially locked in a March 5 release date. The news sent small ripples through the indie dev community — most notably causing fellow deckbuilder Handmancers to postpone its own launch.

Handmancers' Honest Admission

The Handmancers development team shared the news candidly on X (Twitter). Their original plan was to drop the game during the TurnBasedThursdayFest showcase as an instant release. Then, the very next day, Slay the Spire 2's release date broke.

"Let's be honest — you'll be playing it, we'll be playing it, everyone will be playing it. We're huge fans and insanely excited. But launching a deckbuilder the same week as Slay the Spire 2? Yeah we'd get absolutely crushed."

They also noted the economic reality: "Buying two deckbuilders in the same week? In this economy? Not happening."

The Ripple Effect

Handmancers is not alone. Mini Tank Mayhem, another deckbuilder, also shifted its release date for the same reason. It is a testament to just how dominant Slay the Spire 2's launch is expected to be.

The Handmancers team plans to announce their new release date at the TurnBasedThursdayFest showcase, and said they are using the extra time to polish the game further.

Why Slay the Spire 2 Dominates Attention

The original Slay the Spire is widely credited with defining the modern deckbuilding roguelike genre. Its sequel promises entirely new characters, cards, and mechanics — setting the bar for a genre that has exploded in popularity over the past few years. March 5 is shaping up to be a landmark day for turn-based gaming fans.